On the 9th of November 2023, the UK’s Defra (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) published a policy paper on the UK REACH alternative transitional registration model or ATRm.
Currently, the regulatory framework for chemicals in the UK is known as UK REACH. However, there have been some issues raised concerning the high costs associated with the assessment of EU data packages under UK REACH transitional registrations. These costs have led to the possibility that some companies may opt not to register their chemical substances under UK REACH. This could then lead to fewer substances being available on the UK market, resulting in supply chain problems and UK industries becoming less competitive.
The proposed ATRm aims to reduce costs to industry through a series of proposals, brought about by an in-depth review of UK REACH and by gathering information on the use of chemicals in the UK. This includes gathering information on the hazardous properties of chemicals on the market and determining the level of exposure and risk associated with them. Up until this point, the UK has been replying on data under EU REACH, which only provided information on the uses and exposure routes of chemicals in the EU. New information gathered under the review will enable Defra and the HSE to tailor the UK’s requirements in the registration of chemicals.
On the 16th of May 2024, Defra launched a consultation on the ATRm and on proposals to improve the current UK REACH regime which has been inherited from the EU. The ATRm related policy proposals to be consulted on are summarised below:
- Hazard requirements – proposal to significantly reduce the hazard information provided in registrations for transitional substances,
- Use and exposure information – proposal to enhance what information on ‘use and exposure’ registrants in GB need to provide in registrations,
- Chemical Safety Reports (CSRs) – proposal for reduced hazard requirements in CSRs for all registrants of a transitional substance manufactured or imported in quantities of over 10 tonnes per annum,
- Transitional evaluations – proposal to enable the Agency to require and receive data from registrants for regulatory or risk prioritisation purposes, ensuring Defra can respond to new or emerging risks,
- Compliance checks – the regulator will carry out compliance checks on no less than 20% of registrations,
- Publication of data – proposal to review and revise the “hazard data” to be included in the Public Register for substances.
Separate proposals to improve UK REACH involve improving the restrictions process, increasing protections against animal testing, and improving the reporting process to reduce administrative burden.
Defra is also seeking comments on a proposal to organise UK REACH registrants of the same substance into Substance Groups to enable data sharing and joint submission of data on the intrinsic properties of substances. Comments on all proposals can be submitted here until the cessation of the consultation period on the 11th of July 2024.
